How to Stop Diarrhea from Different Causes?

Diarrhea is messy. Diarrhea can be embarrassing. Watery stool. Runny stool. Multiple trips to the toilet. Fecal accidents. We’ve all experienced it at some point. For some, they have diarrhea every now and then. For others, this is a daily struggle. What is diarrhea? What are the causes of diarrhea? How can you stop diarrhea?

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools. In general, it is an increase in the frequency of stool and usually more than four stools per day is considered diarrhea. In technical terms, diarrhea is more than 200 grams of stool per day. On the Bristol stool chart, diarrhea is type 6 and 7.

The Bristol Stool Chart

What are the different types of diarrhea?

Acute Diarrhea: Diarrhea 14 days or fewer in duration.

Persistent Diarrhea: Diarrhea that is more than 14 days in duration but less than 30 days.

Chronic Diarrhea: Diarrhea that is more than 30 days in duration.

Dysentery: Diarrhea with visible blood or mucus.

Travelers’ Diarrhea: Diarrhea that develops during travel to a less developed country or within 10 days of returning.

Osmotic Diarrhea: Diarrhea in which the stool osmotic gap is greater than 50 mosm/kg.

Secretory Diarrhea: Diarrhea in which the stool osmotic gap is less than 50 mosm/kg.